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Joan Records 

After the resounding success of their complete Bach edition in 160 CDs, Brilliant Classics has begun publishing their complete Mozart edition. In 24 volumes, over the next 18 months, they will be releasing 172 CDs of Mozart’s works. In the same way as for the Bach edition, this set will include both original recordings, made for this set, and works licensed from other labels, and will be sold at a budget price.

This first volume covers Mozart’s Concertos for Wind Instruments and his Violin Concertos; this set contains some of Mozart’s finest instrumental works, and is a joy to listen to, beginning with what is probably his best-known concerto, the Clarinet Concerto in A major, KV 622. This work is beautifully played by clarinettist Harmen de Boer, and the balance between his solos and the orchestra is excellent.

Even though Mozart did not like the flute, he composed two commissioned concertos for the Elector Charles Theobald. The first flute concerto is a brilliant work, and does not in any way belay Mozart’s dislike for the instrument. It is full of virtuoso passages, and contains a brilliant opening movement, with oboes and horns, in addition to strings, as well as a fine central adagio. Some of the orchestral parts recall the style of the clarinet concerto.

Mozart wrote several concertos for the horn, as well as concertos for the oboe and bassoon. The horn concertos are considered to be among the finest such works, although the listener needs to like this instrument to appreciate them. It can sound rough and harsh at times, since its tone is somewhat "rustic". Mozart manages to ensconce this instrument in settings that correspond well to its sound; the Rondo, allegro of the E flat major concerto contains typical hunting-horn melodies with a sparse accompaniment by the orchestra. The performance of these concertos is uneven; Herman Jeurissen’s tone is not always ideal, but these works are well-performed otherwise.

Mozart’s 5 violin concertos are, together with the Clarinet concerto, the highlights of this set. Mozart was, himself, a virtuoso violinist, and wrote works that are brilliant in their sparkling melodies and lively energy. With dynamic fast movements and moving slow movements, and with a masterful accompaniment, these concertos are among the emblems of the violin repertoire. Soloist Emmy Verhey is excellent, with beautiful tone and energy in the faster movements, and a delightful sound in the slower movements, such as the magnificent Adagio of the third concerto in G major.

The Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola & Orchestra in E flat major KV 364 is a beautiful work. Not exactly a concerto - it features violin and viola as soloists - yet not quite a symphony, in spite of the variety of instruments in the orchestra, this is a hybrid work which shows Mozart’s ability to compose for a large ensemble and soloists together. Recalling some of his later piano concertos, it opens with a long Allegro maestoso, which, with its use of horns and oboes, is very symphonic. The duo-solos of the violin and viola are very interesting, and the orchestra is almost a soloist as well in this work. The closing Presto is a sprightly movement, with winds and horns again taking centre stage before the soloists enter. The performance is excellent, with both soloists playing with great energy, although the viola is sometimes drowned out in the mix.

This first volume of Brilliant Classic’s complete Mozart set certainly bodes well for the other 23 volumes. The performances range from good to excellent, the sound is almost always fine. For those who do not know Mozart’s music well, this is a good chance to start exploring it - the very low price of this set is certainly an invitation, but the overall quality makes it an excellent bargain.

Kirk McElhearn

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